Consortium

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Stuttgart is one of the largest institutes in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and employs almost 1,200 people. The “Robot and Assistive Systems” department involved in Sim4Dexterity designs, with over 70 scientists, automation solutions for industrial and commercial applications, the service sector and everyday support for private individuals. The department is characterized by its many years of competence in all subject areas that are required for the development of robot systems and their key technologies. In industrial robotics, handling technologies are further developed with the help of 3D image processing and machine learning. Fraunhofer IPA is also known for developing innovative handling software, such as the bin picking software bp3™, which is already successfully employed in production systems for component separation for over 12 years. The Sim4Dexterity research project is lead by Fraunhofer IPA.

The website of the Robot and assistive systems department can be found here (https://www.ipa.fraunhofer.de/robotsystems).

Making technical systems intuitive to use: that is the task of the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University. Technology should adapt to people and not the other way around. The Neuroinformatics group, headed by Prof. Helge Ritter, spokesman of CITEC from 2007 to 2021, uses machine learning and neural networks to coordinate complex motion sequences when grasping and manipulating objects using multi-fingered robot hands. Our research is guided by the belief that neural networks have been evolved to control movements and sophisticated patterns of interaction. While today's engineered systems have to rely on an almost complete specification of their numerous details, neural systems are shaped to a large extent by self-organization, adaptation and learning. To gain insights into the working principles of these systems and to replicate similar functions in technology, we are bringing together methods from neural networks, machine learning, computer vision, dynamical systems and control, embracing topics such as data mining, brain-machine interfaces, evolutionary computation and complex systems integration, and drawing cross-disciplinary inspiration from brain science, psychology and linguistics. Due to the intimate connection between neural networks and the control of behavior we consider robotics as our major testbed. Here, our focus is on manual intelligence and its replication for articulated robot hands. Utilizing eye-, motion-, and force-tracking systems we study human manipulation actions and turn gained insights into robot control strategies to better match their capabilities to our own, utilizing tight tactile- and vision-driven feedback loops to achieve robust behaviour.

More information about our research projects can be found here (https://ni.www.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de).

Fascination with technology - Optonic is a leading supplier of 2D and 3D image processing and control solutions for industrial automation. For more than 30 years, we have been developing, producing and selling optical systems for inspection, measurement and robot control tasks for the electronics, pharmaceutical, automotive and automation industries, among others.

In our three business units we focus on the production of industrial 3D cameras with the product brand Ensenso, on 2D image processing solutions with isys vision and on camera-guided robot control for parts handling with Mikado. All areas are united by the freedom for innovation and the demand for exceptional quality.

With a presence in over 20 countries, around 29,000 employees and revenues of EUR 4.2 billion (2020), T-Systems is one of the world's leading providers of digital services, headquartered in Europe.

T-Systems supports its customers in successfully managing their digital transformation and helps them realize their full potential through digitization. The focus here is on cloud services: T-Systems offers and operates the full range of cloud solutions. All DAX 30 companies in Germany and 100 of the top Fortune 500 companies worldwide trust T-Systems and rely on services from the company.

As a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, T-Systems offers everything from a single source: from the secure operation of legacy systems and traditional ICT services to the transition to cloud-based services (including international networks, customized infrastructure, platforms and software) and new business models and innovation projects in the Internet of Things or in the areas of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). In doing so, the company works with leading technology partners from around the world. T-Systems pursues a holistic approach in which solutions from the areas of Connectivity, Digital, Security and Cloud & Infrastructure (Versatile and easy-to-use cloud infrastructure, including tools for the simulation of robots and autonomous driving. Participation in the DIN/DKE expert group for the development of an AI standardization roadmap for standards and requirements for the use of AI) must be seen and thought of in their context and interaction.

Further information on T-Systems can also be found at: www.t-systems.com .

Liebherr develops and manufactures high-quality gear cutting machines, gear measuring devices, gear cutting tools and automation systems.

Liebherr's division on Automation Systems has established itself worldwide as a specialist for automation solutions. The broad product spectrum of automation systems ranges from linear robots and robot applications to conveyor and storage systems and solutions for handling pallets. As a result, projects can be implemented in all areas of manufacturing and assembly. Automation solutions from Liebherr reduce production costs and enable a short-term, flexible response to changes in market demand.

More information about Liebherr Automation Systems can be found here: https://www.liebherr.com/de/deu/produkte/verzahntechnik-automation/automationssysteme/automationssysteme.html .

About 125 years ago, we founded the modern transport industry with our trucks and buses. Today we are one of the world's largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. We employ about 100,000 people at more than 40 locations in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America and numerous sales and service locations in most countries in the world. In China, we hold a 50 percent stake in Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive. The joint venture with the Chinese partner Foton produces trucks under the Auman brand.

In our global network, we develop and produce trucks and buses that are marketed under the BharatBenz, Freightliner, FUSO, Mercedes-Benz, Setra, Thomas Built Buses and Western Star brands. With Daimler Truck Financial Services, we can offer our customers a complete package of vehicles and financial services tailored to their needs. We work for all who keep the world moving - this is our joint motivation at Daimler Truck.

EHI is a research, training and consultancy institute for the retail industry and its partners. It has some 80 employees. The international EHI network encompasses some 850 member companies from the retail business and the consumer goods and capital goods industries. EHI was founded in 1951. President is Markus Tkotz, the Managing Director is Michael Gerling. GS1 Germany, a joint subsidiary of EHI (50%) and Markenverband (the Brand Association, 50%), coordinates the assignment of Global Trading Item Number (GTIN, formerly EAN) in Germany. In cooperation with EHI, Messe Düsseldorf organises EuroShop, the world’s leading capital goods fair for the retail business, and EuroCIS, where the latest products, solutions and trends in IT and security technology are presented as well as China in-store for the Asian retail market.

The company Käpple Qualitätsleister was founded in Büchenbach in 1991. Since October 2016, the company headquarters have been located in Allersberg. Today, the company employs over 100 employees, most of whom have been with the company for many years.

Käpple Qualitätsleister sees itself as a modern service provider for production and trading companies in all industries. We are your contact in the service sector around the topics quality assurance, assembly of components, personnel services, confection & commission. As a partner to our customers, we are there when you need support, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Due to our existence since 1991, we can offer you solution-oriented approaches and resources in the shortest possible time, which contribute to securing your quality and production requirements.

Our services optimize the quality of your products and ensure a smooth supply chain. Through our services and ambitious understanding of quality, we are at your side and offer you the opportunity to fully concentrate on your core processes.

Along your value chain we are specialized in implementing tasks according to your requirements by means of professional project management. Our experience enables us to guarantee you cost and planning security in terms of quality and quantity right from the start of the service contract.

The core competence of Käpple Qualitätsleister is the execution of crucial services which contribute to the long-term success of our customers. Quality, flexibility, versatility and reliability are the essential building blocks of our company.